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| The Big Mistake by Cadi Nobles |
| Somehow there has gotten to be a mistaken idea in the church world that a Christian should have an easy life. Our cars should never break down, we should always have plenty of money, and no unexpected trouble should come around. The reasoning is, that we’ve given our lives to Jesus and so nothing should be able to trouble us. We should have everything perfect in this life, if we are truly children of God. I have heard different ministers plainly say that your bank account is directly related to your walk in Christ. “If you have plenty of faith, you’ll have plenty of money.” They have also went on to say that you’ll have perfect relationships, and an all around trouble free lifestyle. This is a ridiculous notion! Paul said it another way, he said they are “supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (I Tim. 6:5) Paul knew that many would try to use their salvation as a ticket to an easy life. But as we read and study the scripture a very different picture starts to unfold. Christ said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) James chapter 1 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” We see from scripture that it is actually the trials that we go through that show us to be good Christians. Think about it. How does the world know that we are truly different unless they were able to witness our strength in trials? If our bank account is empty and we still carry a smile, that makes them wonder. If we lose our job and we still show the love of Christ, they are intrigued. If we lose a loved one and still retain the peace of God, they know that we have something that they need. The world has to be able to see the difference in our lives during the midst of trouble in order to know for certain that we are truly different. In this fallen world there is no way to escape trouble. The rich and poor, the healthy and sick, we are all subject to pain and suffering. But a Christian’s life is different in one critical aspect; our hope is not based upon the trials of this present world. We have been saved by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and our souls are redeemed for all eternity. The troubles and trials that afflict us now, have no dominion in the world to come. We are free from the bondage of sin and death and Christ is our Eternal Savior. In that light, it is a very small thing that we must endure affliction for just a little while. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, was well acquainted with “sufferings of Christ.” Stricken with some unnamed aliment, and imprisoned repeatedly for his beliefs, Paul counted it a privilege to show his faith in action. To be strong in spirit when weak in the flesh; to be the greatest testimony when the world would suppose him to be at his lowest point. The Bible say that, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isa. 59:19) What standard will be raised? Will the Lord patch up all our problems and make everything perfect? No! The spirit of the Lord will say, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13) No trial can effect the peace and assurance I have in Jesus, no tribulation will challenge my Eternal Salvation. (Rom. 8:35-39) I am made an over-comer in this present world! The problems that I face do not show my lack of faith, they illustrate my faith in action |
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